A.N. I'm back again with another chapter for you lovely people. Nothing else much to say except enjoy the chapter^_^.
Chapter 20
"The hunter is exiting the forest, she has allies following her." A space pirate hissed to the large form of Ridley, leader of the space pirates. The space dragon's eyes narrow a smirk coming to his jagged teeth. So strange that his archenemy traveled with others when normally she walked alone. Ridley's tail flicked, his wings ruffled itching to fly.
It felt so good to be whole again. Ridley didn't how the Master Hand came to bring him back, but Ridley wasn't going to question a good thing. The commander of the space pirates was back, and soon he would finally bring an end to his most hated enemy.
"Are we going after her?" A different pirate snarled, a comando his sworn oath to hunt the hunter. Ridley's claws clicked against the metal floor as he moved.
Ganondorf had told him guard this facility, but the dark lord must be dreaming if he thought he could command Ridley. The villain of Hyrule heard of Samus' habit of destroying whole planets on her own, and he feared she would destroy the bomb factory. Ridley wanted to laugh at Ganondorf. If there was one thing Ridley knew it was how the hunter acted. She wouldn't waste time here unless there was a reason to be here. She would go straight to the source and destroy it, rather than waste time with this factory.
The two have spent years in a deadly dance trying to destroy the other. While the hunter has been able to mutilate Ridley time and time again. The dragon has always managed to come back stronger. His fellow pirates rebuilding his mangled body again and again, each time bringing the pirate leader closer to killing his foe.
If Ridley thought such things it would be almost poetic. The monster that murdered the hunter's family was doomed to forever fight her until they both perished. Ridley didn't know what Ganon had planned for the hunter, but he did know that if anyone was destroying the hunter it was going to be him.
Ridley remembered the hunter as she was when they first met. A weak sniveling child that cried as he ripped her mother apart in front of her. So strange that in that moment he tied his own doom to the that miserable child.
The space pirate leader wanted Samus Aran to burn slowly in a terrible agony. However, she was his. His to destroy, his to mutilate, his to rip apart slowly and watch her bleed. Perhaps his boiling hatred was why he was able to survive being put back together so many times. Ridley refused to die as long as the hunter lived.
Whipping around Ridley grabbed the pirate by the neck lifting him off the ground. He smirked, the pirate refused to show fear to the space dragon's face like any good pirate should.
"No, I have a better plan." As soon as Master Hand brought him back. Ridley had demanded to know everything the hunter had done while he was gone. Ridley hadn't had such clarity in his mind for what felt like ages. Even though his pirates could rebuild his body each time the hunter destroyed him. A small bit of his sanity was lost making him more akin to a dog than the cunning leader he was. Master Hand seemed to be able to do what the pirates could not, and Ridley felt as strong as when he first destroyed the hunter's home world. While updating Ridley on the status of the hunter he gave Ridley a very important piece of information.
"A woman, Zelda she's important to the hunter. We're going to find her, and make her bleed." Ridley dropped the pirate to the ground. With a swish of his tail he turned walking away, the two pirates following at his heels. Ridley knew the hunter, she didn't form attachments because they always ended up dead. Usually by his own hands, he thought with a smirk.
"Then we're going to throw her at the hunter's feet, and laugh in her face." Master Hand had ordered that none of the fighters be killed for whatever reason, and Ridley would heed that order for now. It would make the hunter suffer even more knowing this Zelda suffered and still lived. Emotional torture was just as pleasing to watch as physical.
"Gather the others, we're going hunting." Ridley unfurled his wings taking flight, leaving the two pirates behind to carry out his orders. His forces were small now, thanks to the hunter. Once this was over Ridley would rebuild the pirates anew, and since it seemed like the Federation was fighting amongst themselves. It would be the perfect time to return his reign of terror to the galaxy.
Ridley left the bomb factory his wings carrying him high into the sky. He did two circles in the sky scanning the land below before he spotted his pirates exiting the base. Flying down Ridley landed in front of them. With critical eye he checked each pirate for any weakness. All seven pirate commandos stood without flinching as Ridley hovered over them. Each knew that if they even blinked those jaws would snap around their neck and throw them aside.
Satisfied with the pirates, Ridley turned around a snarl coming from his jaws.
"The pirate that brings me this scum Zelda alive gets a year's worth of rations! Alive! Not dead, if I find her corpse the pirate that did it will join her!" The commandos moved out not questioning the dragon's orders. Ridley himself stretched his wings out again and took flight.
After walking for so long Lucas felt that his nerves had finally calmed a little. It helped that Kirby was bouncing happily next to them as they moved. Pit talked to him every now again, and the angel was probably one of the most excitable people Lucas has ever met.
It also helped that Queen Zelda was leading the way. Her confidant gate lead the small group through the abandoned town. Now that Lucas wasn't gripped by panic, he could get a good look at the royal. The first thing he noticed were the very not human pointed ears she had, but Lucas quickly turned his gaze from them. It was rude to stare after all.
Zelda looked the perfect picture of what Lucas thought a Queen would look like. She had a regal air about her, and she walked with purpose without the slightest hesitation in her step. Lucas briefly wished he could walk with such confidence. Perhaps if he wasn't so weak than Ness wouldn't have been captured.
"Anyone else notice we haven't run into a monster in awhile?" Pit broke Lucas out of his thoughts with his question. Lucas looked around there were a lot less monster than earlier. Not that he was complaining he'd rather avoid a fight if he could. The young blonde looked to Zelda to see her thoughts.
The hylian's eyes were narrowed, he noticed her ears twitch as if listening for something amiss. After a moment Zelda stopped walking the others followed suit. Pit looked like he was about to say something when Zelda shouted at them to get back, and with a flourish of her hands her magic threw the younger fighters back.
Lucas landed on his back, but as he fell back an explosion rocked the ground in front of them. Quickly the blonde gathered himself standing back up. Looking to where they once stood a line of scorched earth separated them from Zelda.
There were slight scorch marks on the royal's dress, but otherwise she survived the blast. Lucas heard a loud whoosh overhead, and he looked up to see something huge circling in the sky.
He didn't get the time to get a better look at it, as out of no where several monsters jumped from the shadows. Two jumped in between the younger heroes and Zelda. While three others came from behind the younger heroes.
They wore high tech armor, but were reptilian like in nature. With guns and sabers attached to each of their wrists the monsters opened fired at the younger heroes.
Kirby was the first to act he dash forward running at one of the monsters behind them. He jumped and kicked the creature, but the monster just snarled and swung its wrist mounted saber at the pink hero. Kirby jumped back avoiding getting sliced in half. Pit had engaged the one monster with his own swords. The two were locked in a game of who would make the first mistake allowing the other to get a hit in.
None of the monsters seemed to be paying Lucas any mind. Frozen, he looked over to Zelda to see her blow one of the monsters away with a blast of magic fire. She was about to turn to do the same to the other when a large figure slammed down behind her.
If Lucas had not been afraid when he first came here, he was now. The creature behind Zelda was massive, razor sharp claws on each hand. Yellow reflective eyes bore down at the royal. Its wings stretched out showing off its massive size.
Zelda went to attack to cover her retreat away from the beast, but a long tail swung and sent Zelda flying to the side. Dazed the royal lay on the ground trying to pick herself up, but the monster left no room for recovery.
The monster picked up the royal in one of its large hands. He brought her face to its large jaws before letting out a horrid screech in the royal face.
"Lucas look out!" Lucas felt Pit grab his arm and pull him out of the way. One of the smaller monster snarled upon missing the young blonde. That snapped Lucas back into reality, but by that time it was too late.
The monster still holding Zelda flapped its massive wings it roared something at its lessers before flying high into the sky, and just like that Lucas has let another be taken because of his inability to act.
Zelda struggled against the rough claws holding her, but her movements were nothing to the massive beast that grabbed her. It growled taking them higher into the sky. The royal spared a glance down, a fall right now would surely kill her. Looking back to monster's massive teeth and evil stare it would probably be preferable.
Quickly Zelda broke her arm free from the monster's grip. It looked at her seeing she had a limb free, Zelda raised her arm about to send a blast of fire into the beast's face when suddenly she was falling. She fell dizzyingly fast, passing through clouds watching the ground get closer.
Then she stopped the monster grabbing her leg and tossing her in the air before grabbing her again.
"Stop squirming scum before I rip your arms off!" Zelda startled hearing the beast speak. She didn't expect such a monster to be sentient, however she didn't stop trying to escape his grasp. The monster let out a monstrous screech tightening his hold on Zelda.
"Who are you?" Zelda managed to get out even though it was getting difficult to breath with the creature holding her so tightly. If it were possible the creature's mouth upturned into a savage smirk.
"I am Ridley! Leader of the Space Pirates, terror of the galaxy, and also the slayer of the hunter!" Mention of a hunter got Zelda's attention, Ridley must have seen this as his smirk became even more manic. A cold feeling ran down Zelda spine when he claimed to slay the hunter.
"Good, you know the hunter. It would be a waste of time if I grabbed the wrong person." Ridley lessened his hold just a fraction, but Zelda still felt like she couldn't breath thinking Samus might have been killed by this monster. Despite the overwhelming panic creeping up on her Zelda managed to appear calm.
"Last time I check Samus was very much alive. I doubt you could even put a scratch on her." Ridley's tail whipped violently in the air in anger. He snarled glaring at the royal in his hand. That was good, it meant he hadn't defeated Samus. Already Zelda quick mind was figuring out what was going on, and she refused to be used against the hunter.
Ridley leaned in, probably to try and intimidate Zelda. Instead Zelda broke one of her hands free again, sending a blast of fire right into the beast's eye. Even a creature as monstrous as Ridley let out a screech in pain, as his eye was burned away.
Zelda was falling again this time she turned in the air looking around for anything high up she could land on. Ridley wasn't going to let her be that easily though, he swooped down to snatch up the royal again.
Before Ridley could grab her Zelda used Farore's wind propelling her upwards above Ridley. The monster paused in the air looking around for the royal. Falling back down Zelda landed on Ridley's back letting a blast of magic explode against the back of his head.
She jumped off the beast just as he whipped around swiping the air with his claws. Zelda glanced at the quickly approaching ground, her options were limited. It was either risk killing herself with the fall, or take her chances with the enraged dragon creature.
The Queen didn't get to make a choice though, Ridley came down upon her like thunder. Wrapping his claws around her neck though his large talons held nearly Zelda's entire torso as well, crushing the royal with his tight grip. He held her there letting out a vicious snarl.
"You little fucking runt!" With his other hand Ridley took a massive claw and dug it into Zelda's stomach. The Queen cringed, biting her tongue to keep from crying out in pain. Ridley's already frightening appearance was amplified now with his scorched eye socket. He smirked, getting a sick sense of pleasure from causing such pain.
Ridley looked like he was about to say something when his head twitched as if he heard something. The claw digging into Zelda's flesh was removed, and Ridley tightened his hold on Zelda's neck. The royal's world started going dark, the space dragon cutting off air from her lungs. The last thing Zelda saw was Ridley's monstrous smirk as she passed out.
When Zelda woke the first thing she became aware of was the pain assaulting her stomach. Zelda's hand came to the wound her glove quickly becoming soaked with blood.
"Zelda!" The royal blinked, looking around she was in a cage suspended in the air. It was small, bird cage like with not even enough room for Zelda to lay down in. Instead she had been slumped against the bars before waking.
"Zelda!" Zelda's ears twitched at the frantic cry. Turning her head Zelda looked over and saw another cage much like her own hanging there. Inside to the royal's shock was Peach, no longer in the statue like state Wario had taken her in.
"Zelda are you okay?" Peach had her hands on the bars of her cage looking worriedly at the Queen. Zelda blinked to make sure she wasn't hallucinating from blood lost.
"Peach? How are you…" Peach figured out Zelda questioned before she could finish it.
"I'm not sure myself, the last thing I remember is being hit by that gun Wario had." Peach frowned, and Zelda carefully adjusted herself in the cage so she would face Peach. The ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom's face became concerned again though when she got a full view of the large amount of blood covering Zelda's midsection.
"I'm fine though, I'm more worried about you! They brought you here a couple hours ago. That looks serious…" The wound was still bleeding slightly, and Zelda winced from the pain. Focusing, the Triforce glowed brightly on her hand, and Zelda brought the hand to the wound. She sighed in relief when the wound close, it was by no means fully healed. However at least Zelda didn't have to fear dying of blood lost.
Peach watched with worried eyes from across the room. Zelda gave her a reassuring look after she removed her hand.
"I'm okay Peach, now where are we?" Though Peach looked ready to argue she conceded quickly and answered Zelda.
"I don't know I only woke up hanging here. I haven't even seen anyone except for you and the monsters that brought you here." Zelda listened with interest, standing she gripped the bars of her cage testing to see how strong they were.
"Do you know what's going on?" Zelda nodded, explaining what she knew so far, though it was still unknown what all the villains were trying to accomplish. The royal's thoughts briefly went to the young heroes that she left behind after being captured. Zelda prayed they'd be alright, at least Palutena could still guide them towards other fighters.
Looking the cage over it was solid iron, too thick to try and use a blast of fire to blow it open. She was about to ask Peach if she had any ideas when she saw something fall from the ceiling. Peach noticed it too and both royal's heads snapped up spotting a mass of black slime crawling over the ceiling.
"Oh my!" Peach covered a her mouth with her hand looking disgusted at the mass of black goop. Zelda's eyes widened watching it move acrossing the ceiling right over to her cage. It paused over her black snow falling around Zelda's cage.
Then it started slinking down the chain that held the cage up. It fell like water quickly and before Zelda could do anything she was covered in it. Darkness invaded her vision, and Zelda held her breath not wanting to inhale any of the substance.
It left as quickly as it came, falling over Zelda then falling to the ground below with a splash. When Zelda felt herself clean of the substance she looked down to see it bubbling on the ground. It bubbled and shifted on the ground much like the gunk that formed the monsters they had been fighting.
Instead of a monster forming from this puddle a familiar form began taking shape. In seconds to Zelda's horror she was staring at a mirror imagine of herself. Peach gasped too, as the dark copy opened her eyes looking up at the two.
She smirked before chuckling darkly at the two imprisoned royals.
"What in the…"
"Goddess' name?" The dark copy finished for Zelda still smirking. Zelda's eyes narrowed at the abomination before her. The copy was near exactly like her, but Zelda could see the murderous intent in her eyes.
"What sort of abomination are you?" Zelda demanded grabbing the cage's bars. The dark copy laughed again taking a few experimental steps out from under Zelda's cage.
"Have you gone blind? I'm Zelda, Queen of Hyrule." The Queen's eyes narrowed, this only seemed to further amuse the copy.
"You certainly are not!" The doppelganger smirked, flicking her hair turning away from Zelda.
"Perhaps, but I only have to keep up the ruse long enough to trick a certain hunter." Zelda's heart clenched, she wouldn't let the copy see her fear though.
"If you think Samus is going to fall for such a farce then you clearly underestimate her." Surely Samus would be able to see this horror was not her. The doppelganger looked exactly like her, and Zelda's mind began spiraling in horror that she might be able to trick Samus.
"And you are underestimating how much we have her wrapped around our finger." The copy winked before turning heel towards the metal door leading out of the room. Zelda demanded the copy return gripping her cage bars tightly. The copy paused in its stride to the door. Then in a flash of magic the doppelganger appeared outside of Zelda's cage.
Zelda's eyes widened as fire exploded against her cage, she used her own magic to protect herself. Still when the smoke faded and Zelda opened her eyes she winced, her hands burned with her gloves completely scorched falling off her hands.
Looking back she saw the door closing the sinister laugh of her doppelganger echoing in the dark room.
"Zelda are you okay!" Zelda glance at Peach who was tightly holding on to the bars of her cage watching the Queen with worried eyes. Looking over the burns they weren't too bad her magic and gloves had taken the brunt of the attack. Triforce glowing brightly Zelda removed what was left of her gloves before she healed the burns as much as she could.
"I'll be okay…" The Queen trailed off looking at the door her doppelganger left through. She had to get out of here now, Samus was in danger.
"And you are underestimating how much we have her wrapped around our finger." The doppelganger's words echoed in the royal's head. Zelda wasn't completely blind to her own feelings. She deeply cared for the bounty hunter, so much that she didn't want to imagine what things would be like without her. Their time spent in Hyrule had been the happiest time in Zelda's life.
Ever since the captain had mentioned the betting pool on her relationship with Samus. The thought never left Zelda's head for long. Resting her forehead against the cold iron bars Zelda clutched the bars as if trying to will them to break. It was like a bomb going off inside the royal's head upon accepting the idea.
She loved Samus, the thought made Zelda's heart skip a beat. It should have been obvious looking back now. Samus was everything Zelda needed, a loyal friend, a confidant who never lied to her, a calming presence that could make Zelda believe they could weather anything.
At this point Zelda wasn't even worried if the hunter returned the feelings. Even if she didn't Zelda didn't want to be in a world without her metal clad companion. Magic sparking in her hands Zelda's face became determined, she had to get out of here now.
"These guys aren't very tough are they?" The Hero of Time noted as the creature his sword had slash dissolved into nothing. Samus nodded idly in agreement, firing a missile at another monster ending its life.
When the last monster dissolved Yoshi let out a yawn blinking his eyes blearily.
"Same here Yoshi, I would expect these guys to be stronger." The hero scanned the area searching for any other threats. Finding nothing he turned back to Samus who had become still her visor glowing.
Samus was on edge, her scan visor lost Zelda's energy signal. It left cold feeling in the hunter thinking Zelda might be… No, she wouldn't continue that line of thought. There were many things that could cause interference with her visor. Zelda was still alive.
The problem now was the hunter had no idea where the royal was. Her energy signature had sped off north before Samus lost it. They could continue north, but what were the chances they would catch the royal's trail.
"Hey," Link put a hand on the hunter's shoulder breaking her from her thoughts.
"I'm sure Zelda's fine, she lasted seven years on her own against Ganon after all." Samus knew the words should calm her, Zelda could take care of herself. Samus knew this, she has fought with Zelda, and knew how strong the royal was. That didn't mean Samus didn't want to make sure of it. The nagging thought in the back of her head again questioned why Zelda's safety was such a priority. Samus shook it away, she had to focus.
Samus heard Link whistle causing her to turn to see what he was looking at. They had exited what Link claimed to be part of the Kokiri Forest. Now a vast desert plain was stretched out before them. Upon turning Samus saw what the hero was looking at.
"That looks like the portal Ganon used last tournament." Samus looked at the dark mass of energy pulsing in the desert. It was far larger than the one from the last tournament taking up several miles at least.
"Samus look there's a castle not far from it." Link pointed out a large structure that stuck out in the desert. It wasn't far from the portal, maybe a few miles if that. It was then Samus noticed a dark mass moving away from the portal. Her eyes widened, it was an army of monsters marching towards the castle.
"Farore's ass that's a lot of monsters! We have to help there might be people in that castle, let's go!" Link was rushing off sword drawn before he could even see Samus' response. The hunter shook her head dashing after the hero, Yoshi following behind.
The three heroes rushed towards the castle. They had almost reached it when a blur flew overhead, and they skidded to a stop. Seconds after a voice yelled out.
"Link! Samus! Shoot it down! That thing is making the portals!" Both heroes reacted quickly, Samus spun around aiming at the strange being flying overhead. It was shrouded by green robes, but Samus clearly saw the bomb it was carrying. She fired a missile, but it weaved out of the way. Link did the same throwing his boomerang trying to knock the person off course.
Neither hero hit, but luckily their distraction opened up the opportunity for another to throw their sword high into the sky and slash the bomb free breaking it. The man landed with a thud hefting his large sword on his shoulder before turning to the heroes that aided him.
From behind them Marth ran up following him a strange creature that reminded Samus of Kirby. Yet he was blue and wore a metal mask while carrying a sword. Both Samus and Link gave the newcomers looks, but before anyone could say anything black sludge surrounded them.
Talk would come later, they were surrounded by over a dozen monsters. With five heroes though, the weak monsters never stood a chance. The small group had to make an escape even as strong as they all were it would be foolish to take on the approaching army coming from the portal.
They fled to the cliffs where they saw the mysterious robed figure fly off to. Once it was clear they weren't being followed Link was the first to speak.
"Marth, man I am glad to see you." Marth grinned running a hand through his blue hair.
"Likewise Link it seems once again this tournament has become a fight for our lives." The hero king's face was grim sheathing his sword. He briefly glanced between Link and Samus then his eyebrow rose.
"Where's Zelda?" Link shook his head frowning.
"Don't know, Samus was tracking her down, but we lost the trail." The hunter crossed her arms as Link spoke. The reminder of Zelda's still missing status only put her more on edge.
"We have more pressing issues than the other missing contestants at the moment." The metal masked creature spoke up his yellow eyes quickly glancing at the two swordsmen. His words only seemed to hit a nerve with Link though. The hero crossed his arms looking at the small sword wielder.
"Sorry I don't believe we've meet. Link, Hero of Hyrule or Hero of Time and you are…"
"Meta Knight, I hail from Dreamland." So the masked fighter was related to Kirby, or at least he was from the same world as the pink hero. The two glared at each other while the other newcomer scratch the back of his head glancing at Marth before speaking.
"Uhh nice to meet you Link, name's Ike." Link broke off from his standoff with Meta Knight to shake the swordsman's hand. After the two let go Ike turned to Samus who up to this point was standing off to the side with Yoshi. The hunter was too wrapped up trying to think where she should search for Zelda to greet the newcomers.
Link noticed Samus' distant behavior and he took a step next to the hunter grinning.
"This is Samus, don't mind her she's not much of a talker, and this here is Yoshi." The green dinosaur happily made a noise of greeting. While Samus stayed silent looking off into the distance, still attempting to get her visor to pick up the royal's trail.
"Now that we'll all introduced please tell me one of you know what in the gods' name is going on." Marth asked, before Link could answer though Meta Knight cut in.
"Master Hand is leading an army from Subspace to take control of all other realms." The Dreamland knight stated simply. Link gave him a look no doubt suspicious as to how Meta Knight knew this.
"He asked me to join his forces as he did with other villains across dimensions. I refused, and he took control of my ship the Halberd." Meta Knight explained clearly picking up on Link's suspicions.
"Master Hand is behind this, I guess we shouldn't be surprised with how last time went, but what's with this world. That castle is from my world it shouldn't be here." The blue haired swordsman spoke his arms crossed looking at the castle off in the distance now.
"Samus and I went through a forest that's from Hyrule. It's like chunks of all our worlds are being pieced together." The heroes looked to Meta Knight for an explanation, but the Dreamland knight merely shrugged.
"I do not know all their plans. Since I refused to follow them they wouldn't tell me anything." Meta Knight paused, wrapping his cape around his small body.
"I must reclaim my ship. I will not allow them to use it for their own ends." Yellow eyes narrowed behind his masked.
"All right you have fun with that Samus and I are going to go find our friend." Link gave the metal knight a mock cheerful wave before turning heel towards Samus.
"Let's go metalhead, show me those hunting skills you claim to have." Samus uncrossed her arms giving Link a nod, eager to get back to searching for Zelda.
"Wait you two we should stick together." Marth abolished walking over grabbing Link's arm keeping him from walking away with the hunter.
"You're free to come with us, but you know friends come first. Besides someone has to go with metalhead because…" The other swordsmen turned their eyes from Link to see the hunter was already moving away from them.
"Lone wolf syndrome, we're still working on that. We'll catch up to you guys." Link bolted after the hunter leaving the other sword wielders standing there with bewildered looks.
"Is he always like that?" Ike spoke up looking at Marth.
"He wasn't so friendly with Samus last time, but yes he's always like this." Marth sighed motioning for the others to follow him.
Link would be the first to admit he wasn't at the level of understanding Samus that Zelda was at. He could only make out basic emotions coming from the stoic hunter. That alone was an accomplishment since Samus always kept herself so composed. He would never understand how Zelda could make out the hunter's thoughts just from a simple motion like a shrug or shake of the head. Right now though the hero could see how tense Samus was. The hunter was worried about Zelda, perhaps even more concerned than Link.
The hero frowned, maybe worry was too simple of a word to use. Both Samus and Link knew Zelda was more than capable of looking after herself, but the hunter seemed desperate to locate her anyway.
Catching up to Samus the hunter was pausing looking out into the distance, visor glowing brightly. After a few moments the hunter's visor dimmed, and Samus shook her head.
"Still can't pick up the trail?" Link only vaguely knew of Samus' abilities, outside of blowing things up of course. He did know the hunter could track Zelda, but for whatever reason now was unable right now.
Samus shook her head glancing at Link before looking ahead again.
"Maybe we should help Meta Knight get his ship back in the meantime. If you can't track Zelda we might as well do something useful." The hunter contemplated Link's words for a moment before nodding. Link could understand the hesitation, he'd much rather be looking for Zelda and the other fighters. If what Meta Knight said was true about his ship being taken by the villains. Then it was possible the other heroes would target the ship as well. It was a longshot but perhaps Zelda was going after the ship with the other heroes already. Knowing Zelda though her first priority would be the safety of the other fighters.
It would be another minute before the others caught up. Link looked to the silent hunter's tense form.
"You okay metalhead?" The hunter tilted her head surprised at the question. She nodded her head, and Link smirked.
"Hey it doesn't take the Triforce of Wisdom to see there's something up with you." Link paused for a moment before continuing. "You're worried." He stated giving the hunter a sympathetic look. Samus didn't respond right away, and Link figured she was deciding whether or not she could remain emotionless to avoid answering.
Eventually though the hunter nodded crossing her arms not looking at the green clad hero.
"Nothing wrong with that. I'm sure wherever Zelda is she's probably worried about us too. This whole friendship thing must be new for you, but that's what we do. We worried about each other, shows that we care." Though Link was getting the feeling that Samus' feelings towards Zelda were deeper than that of friendship. He wouldn't say anything, Samus kept her emotions on lock all the time. If Link said something wrong the hunter might tighten her hold on them.
The hero recalled the day he saw his two friends in the garden before Samus left. It wasn't until he thought on it that it began to click in his mind that his two friends might be more. If someone would have proposed the idea to him a year ago. Link would have no doubt lost it at the very idea, but after spending time with the hunter and Zelda. The idea didn't bother him as long as the two were happy. The two were good for each other, so much so that even Link saw it. Zelda broke Samus out of her armored shell, and Samus gives Zelda someone who sees Zelda as herself not the Queen of Hyrule.
Samus didn't get time to respond to Link's statement as the other heroes finally had caught up to the two. Link grinned at them ignoring the conversation he had just had with Samus, knowing full well the hunter wouldn't discuss anything with the others within earshot.
"Took you guys long enough! All right Meta Knight where's your ship we've voted on it and have decided to help you take it back." Marth's eyebrow rose at Link.
"Voted? Link voting usually implies you include everyone in on it." The green clad hero grinned.
"Oh I'm sorry we didn't include the most important person here in our vote. Yoshi, what do you think?" The blue haired swordsman sighed rubbing his forehead as Link comically consulted Yoshi for his opinion.
"I find it hard to believe he saved anyone in his world." Meta Knight said dryly to Marth who sighed.
"Don't be so quick to judge, Link's probably one of the best swordsmen I know. He'd certainly give you more than a challenge." The knight from Dreamland nodded, giving a curious look to the Hero of Hyrule and the metal clad companion he traveled with. He said nothing else waiting for the others to get underway to retake his ship.
A.N. Have to say this was a fun chapter to write mostly because of a certain villain that I've been waiting to bring into the story. I love Ridley, I've been planning out his part in the story since I decided to go into Brawl. There's nothing really set in stone in the Metroid canon about him except he's the one who killed Samus' parents, so its been fun fleshing him out a bit. I find his point of view interesting to write, he wants Samus dead so badly that in my headcanon of him its basically an obsession.
On a side note looking on the parts with Link and Samus I'm really pleased how their relationship has developed. I didn't originally intend to develop them this much, but I'm happy with the result. After all in the span of about twenty chapters Link went from hating Samus to being a close friend. I'm overall pleased with how all the characters have developed so far.
And one last note with the dark Zelda copy, I know in the game its clear to us that the copy isn't the real version, but I'm taking a lot of liberties with what happens in the game. If I didn't read all the trophy entires and read the wiki I'd have no idea what was happening just from playing the game other than Nintendos heroes get together to fight Tabbu. With that I'll end this note before it gets even longerXD I'll see you guys next chapter!